At Home

Turn deck or patio space into designer retreat

Style and sophistication head outdoors

Deep-seated sectional with fire table from Patio & Home Direct.

Photograph by: Lori Fralic
, Vancouver Sun

For years, the typical Canadian backyard gathering was rather utilitarian, at least when it came to outdoor furniture. Beyond the smoking grill and the aromatic hotdog, life outdoors usually meant a few plastic chairs nested around a plastic table, an umbrella that always seemed to fall over in the wind and, maybe, a wooden picnic table for the kids.

But that was then, and this is now.

Design and style have moved from the indoors out, and the choice of outdoor furniture today is as eclectic as it is beautiful.

From resin wicker sets to glass-topped tables and elegant, yet comfortable chairs and sofas, the backyard has suddenly become as sophisticated and inviting as your home’s indoor rooms.

Al Cameron, of Patio & Home Direct in Vancouver, says we’re designing our modern-day outdoor spaces with comfort and conversation in mind — what he calls “chat dining” — with sectionals among the most popular furniture piece.

“It is the outdoor deep-seating living concept,” Cameron says. “Outdoor dining sets were the norm 10 years ago, but now it’s outdoor club chairs, loveseats and sofas. There a huge interest in outdoor sectionals, and a trend toward casual dining called chat dining, which is a coffee table-sized table that allows the people using it the have conversation and casually dine in the outdoor living room setting.”

Cameron says the new dining outdoor dining concept leans toward the contemporary, with stainless steel and teak among the most popular choices, with small square tables and with dining chairs complemented by deep-seating lounge-friendly furniture.

A visit to Cameron’s East 5th Avenue showroom or any big-box retailer or specialized outdoor furniture store tells the story.

Today’s outdoor pieces are not only trendy, but hardy (with long warranties in some cases) and just plain comfortable. There are recliners and bean bag chairs and durable, clean-lined settees and comfortable cushioned armchairs, perfect for plopping down with a book in the shade, a glass of wine and a light lunch on hand.

Like many contemporary outdoor items, the new al fresco look takes advantage of developments in materials, often made with fabrics that are fade-resistant, soak-resistant and stain-resistant. Products also boast of being mildew-proof and rustproof, while foam and fabric technology have come a long way.

The high-tech approach to the backyard extends to layout as well. Some stores — and some computer programs — provide a “design your space” feature that allows you to enter the dimensions of your space, then virtually arrange furniture into it.

Colourful, forward-looking design — even whimsy — has slowly crept into the backyard as well. Bright florals and designer textiles — and colours like lime green — are the latest twist.

The Canadian outdoor furniture revolution is driven, in part, by travel. Given the shortness of the local summer in most parts of the country, it’s not surprising that other parts of the world can be a trick or two ahead of us. Hotels and resorts can see design innovations before we do, and are always sources of ideas for your own spaces. It’s not a bad idea to take photos of the attractive patio furniture spotted on one’s travels to bring home and try to replicate.

And it’s not so much the sophistication of the outdoor décor abroad that inspires Canadians visiting warmer climes, it’s the way of life, the ability to take a memorable vacation experience and recreate it right in one’s own backyard. That wrought-iron Italian daybed you spent most of your time lounging in? That snuggly Bahamian hammock you couldn’t bare to leave behind? That sleepy Lyon lounge with the view of the countryside? You don’t need to have a cottage, or even much of yard, to enjoy such leisurely pursuits on the home front. All it takes a little inspiration and imagination.

Cameron adds that British Columbians don’t shy away from inclement weather, and are happy to stay outdoors even during a chill. One of the ways we take the edge off is with outdoor fireplaces — or the new chat-friendly “fire tables,” so that we can continue dining and conversing in comfort, with a warm fire as a backdrop.

“It takes the chill off, looks great and it’s a huge focal point when you are have that special event,” Cameron says. “You can hang out and get comfortable and enjoy the West Coast lifestyle.”

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